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On-Ice

3v3 Net to Net

PURPOSE

Game is also known as one man over because you have “one man over” on the other side. The purpose is to force compete levels in small area 2v1 situations and to create optimal passing and scoring lanes.

HOW TO

  • In teams of three, each team has two players on one side and one on the other forming a 2v1.
  • Coach shoots puck into the game. The single player on each side must play 2v1 and try to gain possession to make a quick outlet to his two teammates on the other side.
  • The 2 players are trying to score.
  • If there is a goal, freeze, or puck clears the zone a new puck is played in.

FOCUS

  • Make sure that players are not standing still if they don’t have possession of the puck. Their 2 player teammates may pass to their single teammate, even though it is an outnumbered and dangerous play. Players also need to be ready for the errant pass that comes into their side.
  • Help players recognize optimal passing lanes and open space to take the shot.

1/4 Ice 2 Cone 1v1

PURPOSE

Quick break out pass and small area 1v1.Similar to half ice 2 Cone 1v1, but in a 1/4 ice situation.

HOW TO

*Note: Description is for 1/4 ice. Drill can be run on both sides or one side and a different drill on the other to maximize ice time and reps.*

  • Two line at the blue line and 2 cones set up jut inside the blue line with a few feet between them and a few feet away from the boards.
  • Player 2 starts to take a few strides toward the net and 1 passes to 2. This is so that they are making and catching a pass in motion.
  • 1 goes down the “board” for a break out pass while 2 carries the puck to the corner and behind the net then makes the break out pass to 1.
  • 1 carries back up and around the top cone, 2 skates to bottom cone and transitions to backwards and plays 1v1.

FOCUS

  • Don’t let the players cheat the play by cutting the cones.
  • Ideally, the position of the cones should force player 2 into the lane of 1 for solid, smart, positional angling.
  • Don’t handcuff the players by limiting player 2 to being a D and player 1 to being F. Let all players learn the play and get the opportunity.

Dangerous Man Progressive

PURPOSE

This drill serves two main purposes. Defensively, it serves to recognize the dangerous man, forcing the pass or shot, and sliding between man to man and zone coverage as the play dictates. Offensively, it develops attack angle progression and using the space you have.

HOW TO

  • Players are split into 4 lines – at each end of the blue and in each corner.
  • Player 1 drives to the net on a 1v0. Once the shot is taken, they become a D.
  • Immediately after the shot by 1 is taken, 2 curls from the corner and the play is now a 1v1. Once a shot is taken or the puck is cleared, player 3 drives in from the point creating a 2v1. They can shoot or make a play with player 2.
  • Once a shot is taken, player 4 curls in from the opposite corner creating a 3v1. Play ends after the shot or on the whistle – coach’s choice.

FOCUS

  • Make sure players are finding the best option. Meaning, they are not trying to force the extra pass for the highlight reel play, or stick handling through traffic to create something that isn’t there.
  • This is also a great drill for emphasizing the triangle concept.
  • Defensively, help the the player recognize when to step up and when to respect the dangerous player.

3v1 Keep Away

PURPOSE

The purpose of this simple keep away game is to recognize and go to open space, passing, and defensively controlling passing lanes.

HOW TO

  • Set up 4 cones in a square, no more than 8 feet apart in any vertical or horizontal direction.
  • Place 3 players on 3 of the 4 cones and one player in the middle.
  • Players on the perimeter must pass between themselves and utilize the empty cone to become an option.
  • Players should NOT pass through the box because it doesn’t usually foster the concept of moving to space to become an option. Rather, it tends to reinforce making forced passes through traffic.

3v1 Flow Breakout

PURPOSE

4v0 breakout to a 3v1 zone entry focusing on quick passing to get up ice and defensive gap control.

HOW TO

*Note: This is similar to 2v1 Flow Breakout, but now with 3 forwards.*

  • Players in two corners and at opposite blue lines. One D starts behind net with puck and one D at center ice. Other D out of the way along the boards.
  • Player 1 drives low to hash marks for break out, player 2 bellies inside out for the quick pass from 1. At the same time player 3 from corner goes up ice a bit, then curls just inside blue line to get pass from 2.
  • 1 fills far lane, 2 fills near lane vacated by 1 and 3 take center lane (2 and 3 can also swap to 3 is in near and 2 is in middle).
  • 3 forwards go in 3v1 on center D.
  • Once a shot is taken, D releases and starts play pattern the other way.
  • D that makes break out pass vacates to boards and a new D comes in to handle the rush coming back at them.

3 Cone 2v1

PURPOSE

Simple 1-2 breakout pass, quick re-group, and 2v1 gap control.

HOW TO

  • Player 1 carries puck from the corner to the opposite corner while players 2 & 3 go low for the break out.
  • Player 2 goes butt to the boards and receives the breakout pass from 1. Player 3 loops outside to in and receives a tip pass from player 2.
  • Player 3 carries the puck up ice and around the inside high cone. Player 2 goes around the outside high cone. Player 1 transitions around the bottom cone.
  • All three players go 2v1 into zone.

FOCUS

  • This should be a no-brainer breakout pass, so make sure players are in the right spot, getting good timing so that no one is standing still, and are in a good passing angle.
  • Defensively, they need a good gap control forcing the shot but if they have ability to step up and prevent a shot altogether they take it.
  • Tendency is to have D play the 1 position, but it is beneficial to all players to learn how to break out in the event lines get shuffled, or someone gets caught out of position, then everyone knows how to break out.

2v2 Back Check

PURPOSE

This drill serves two primary purposes: skating conditioning and back checking with intent. Puck play/shooting is a side effect.

HOW TO

  • Players line up in all four corners. Two corners with pucks.
  • To start, 1 and 2 take off on a 2v0 to the opposite end, passing the puck back and forth. Ideally, they should make 3 passes before getting to the opposite end.
  • Once a shot is taken, 3 & 4 start the other way. 1 & 2 tag the goal line and then back check 3 & 4.
  • Once 3 & 4 get a shot off, the pattern starts again from this end with 3 & 4 back checking.

VARIATIONS

  • Add a 3rd forward to each end and have them weave to the far end, then all out back check.

TIPS & HINTS

  • Make sure players are picking up an offensive player, not just skating to the other end.
  • Make sure players play to the end. If the play is broken up in the neutral zone, have all players skate to the goal line to trigger the next line to go.
  • If players are going hard, they should be practically begging for a water break after 3 reps.

2v1 Flow Breakout

PURPOSE

Works on simple 1-2 breakout with wing drive zone entry. Emphasize passing, timing, and gap control.

HOW TO

  • Players line up on opposite blue lines and corners. All pucks behind the nets. Start with one D behind a net and one at center ice. All other D get out of the way along the boards.
  • Play starts with one forward (1) going down the board and the player from the corner (2) going around the top of their near circle then hooking up ice inside the second circle.
  • The D behind the net passes to 1. 1 passes to 1. 1 fills the far lane and 2 fills the near lane. 1 and 2 go in on a 2v1. This D will go off ice and a new D will fill into the center to take the 2v1 the other direction (3-4 side)
  • Once a shot is taken, the D releases and picks up a puck behind the net. This triggers 3 to go down the boards and 4 to hook up ice like 2 for the drill to head the other way. After the D passes, they leave the ice and a new D steps in to take the 2v1 from the 1-2 side.

2 Cone 1v1

PURPOSE

Works on two skills in one drill: simple board breakout pass and zone entry 1v1.

HOW TO

  • Line of players in corner with pucks (1) and line of players at opposite blue line (2).
  • At the same time, 1 takes off with puck behind net and curls up boards and 2 drives down to hash marks.
  • 1 hits 2 with break out pass. Both head up ice. 1 transitions to backwards around low cone and 2 curls around top cone.
  • Play 1v1 to net.

1v1 Transitional Zone

PURPOSE

Working on 1v1 battles down low to work the puck back out to the front of the net while retaining the triangle. Also works on the front (home) side defense staying heels to net to monitor behind net play and cut off passing lanes to front forwards.

SKILLS

  • 1v1 low battles to gain possession
  • Containing net front presence
  • Defense not getting puck-focused – heels to the net to find the open body, attacking to puck
  • Forwards using the space given to create a quick scoring opportunity – not dangling to make it pretty

HOW TO

  • Forward A1 and defense B1 start with puck behind the net. they must battle for the puck and remain below the goal line. A1’s objective is to move the puck to either A2 or A3 in the face off circles.
  • Defense B2 must play the passing angles above the goal line and outside the circles, only crossing into the circles while the puck is in the circles. This is the transitional zone as they go from playing a zone, to 1v1/2v1. They are also the outlet for B1 to clear the zone.
  • A2 and A3 must move within their circles to create space, receive a pass and either take a quick shot or move the puck back to A1 or A3/A2.
  • Cycle A1 to A2 spot. A3 to A1 spot. Or Line to A1, A1 to A2, A3 to line. D rotate low (behind net) to high to line.

VARIATION

  • Instead of one D in front of net playing a transitional zone, add one player to each circle for 3 1v1 battles.
  • Add a second net near the blue line so if the D gets possession then can have a 2v0 the other way.
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